ISTANBUL -- Amid global economic headwinds and profound technological transformations, the Summer Davos Forum provides a platform for fostering dialogue on trade, innovation, and international cooperation, a Turkish expert has said.

The Summer Davos Forum, also known as the Annual Meeting of the New Champions, brings together global leaders, policymakers, and business experts to discuss pressing economic and technological challenges amid a shifting geopolitical landscape.

"When the global economy is under strain, concerns about trade wars and protectionist policies tend to increase," Selcuk Colakoglu, director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies, told Xinhua in an interview.

"In this context, the summer forum held in China offers an important opportunity to address key challenges facing global trade and cooperation," he said.

Colakoglu emphasized the importance of upholding free trade rules to maintain the stability of international business.

"Safeguarding free trade rules is essential to keep international business running as usual. Otherwise, more problems will arise from these issues," he said.

He commended China's continued support for trade liberalization and multilateral cooperation through mechanisms such as the World Trade Organization.

"The forum will be a crucial platform to facilitate cooperation among countries, business organizations and multinational companies," Colakoglu said.

The event, he added, will also highlight the ongoing transformation of China's economy.

"With the target of high-quality development, China is undergoing significant economic transformation," he said. "By strengthening its large domestic market, China also contributes to global economic momentum."

He added that both Chinese enterprises and international companies are encouraged to invest and participate in the domestic market.

As an expert in Asia-Pacific affairs who closely follows China's economic engagement with emerging markets, Colakoglu also underscored the forum's role in examining the transformative impact of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, on both developed and developing economies.

"There is a need to adapt to new technologies and reassess economic models globally," he said, noting that the forum provides an opportunity for international dialogue on these issues.

Looking ahead, Colakoglu expressed optimism that the forum will help global leaders navigate economic uncertainties and foster cooperation to build a more resilient and inclusive world economy.